So we want to end up on Chicago Ck. road and take it home via Echo Lake/Squaw pass. That's sounds like a fine plan for me to avoid I70. Going into Idaho Springs, then directly up and north to Central City would be another option for some (OMG Road or something).

Ute Ck. or Cascade Ck. roads will both get us oto Chicago Ck Rd. Ute Ck. will be quicker based on our timing. They can be confusing to find so here is a map of them. I'm pretty familiar with those roads but will have this map just in case. Spring Ck trail connects near the top left of the map where it says "Forest Svr Rd"

Thanks so much Scott! I will count on you as my wing man when we head out from the top. The map you are showing amplifies my earlier impression of a maze of junctions trying to get to 103. One of the main reasons I always went down Saxon Mountain in years past was it's simplicity...